r. charlie shultz

R. Charlie Shultz

North Central Aquaculture Conference

Feb 23, 2014

Toledo, OH

Environmental Pollution

Recirculating Aquaculture

University of the Virgin Islands

Kentucky Aquaponics

Kentucky State University

Lethbridge College

What is Aquaponics?

Not Just Hydroponics plus Aquaculture

Balanced or De-Coupled

Commercial or Smaller

Don’t ask the Regulators or Inspectors! Educate them.

Associations

Certification

Is it Organic?

Development of a Mature Ecosystem

Aquaponics vs. hydroponics

Yield 2003

Tomatoes Cucumbers 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Yie

ld, kg

/m2

70

80

Aquaponics

Hydroponics

Aquaponics vs. hydroponics

Yield 2004

Tomatoes Cucumbers 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Yie

ld, kg

/m2

70

80

Aquaponics

Hydroponics

Aquaponics Hydroponics

Rosemary

roots

Balanced Aquaponic Systems

Hydroponic tanks

Rearing tanks

Effluent line

Sump

Clarifier

Filter tanks Return line

Base addition

Degassing

UVI System Layout

Total water volume - 29,000 gallons Land area - 1/8 acre

2,300 ft2 plant area

Keep Feed Input Relatively

Constant Provides a constant level of nutrients for plant growth

Two methods:

(1) Multiple rearing tanks and staggered production Example: UVI system, 4 rearing tanks, 24-week production cycle, one tank harvested every 6 weeks, feed input decreases ~80% in harvested tank, feed input to system decreases 25-30% at harvest Advantages: saves labor, good control of stock Disadvantages: wasted space, higher capital cost

Keep Feed Input Relatively Constant

(2) A single rearing tank with multiple size groups of

fish (sequential rearing):

Example: 6-month production cycle, 6 size groups,

monthly harvest of large fish with grader,

restock equal number of fingerlings

Advantage: conserves space, reduces capital costs

Disadvantage: increases labor costs, increases

mortality, disrupts feeding, stunted fish

accumulate

De-coupled Aquaponic Systems

Alberta, Canada

Lethbridge College

Current Prairie Fishermen Corp Noblesford, AB

Education Conferences

Specialized Courses

Internet

Books

Extension specialists

Internships

University

Marketing the Story

• Tell the Positive Attributes

• Ecotourism

• Niche Crop Mix

• Do Your Market Homework First!

It’s a Great Story!

Which species of fish?

Sludge Management Discharge it Mineralize it (zero-discharge)

System Design

NFT

Media

Deep Water Culture

Aeroponics

Hybrid

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

Media Based Systems

Deep Water Raft Culture (DWT)

Controlled Environment Option

Urban Aquaponics Aquagrowers (Livonia, MI) Foodchain (Lexington, KY)

Fish, Plant and Human Health Non-approved inputs NOT allowed

IPM and Biological Controls for Plant Pest Management

Best Husbandry Practices and Quality Diet for Fish

Maintain optimal WQ conditions for both fish and plants

Food Safety must be addressed

Vendors

Supplies

Courses

Fish

Plants

Pest Control

Greenhouse

Heat/Cooling

Lighting

Processing/Marketing

Beware of the Aquashyster!

Are You Making Money? Economies of Scale

Analyze Financial Statements

Do an Energy Audit

• You Don’t Make Money Growing Fish and Plants…

• You Make Money SELLING them!

Questions?

Charlie Shultz

aquaponics@hotmail.com